Sewer pumps drive Chelmsford candidates' debate

By Grant Welker, gwelker@lowellsun.com

Updated:
03/29/2013 06:37:16 AM EDT

CHELMSFORD -- Selectmen candidates made their last push for votes Thursday at the final debate before the Tuesday election.

Four candidates fighting for two seats debated government transparency, mandated employee liabilities, an energy-efficiency proposal, sewer pumps and more during a debate sponsored by the Democratic Town Committee. The fifth candidate, Roland Van Liew, was traveling and not able to attend.

Candidates differed most on employee liabilities, such as health care and other benefits, and grinder pumps, the underground pumps that hundreds of homeowners in scattered pockets around town have, instead of traditional tie-ins to the townwide sewer system.

Among 13,000 households, nearly 500 have grinder pumps because, according to the town, topography made it too difficult for regular sewer connections. A group has been considering asking Town Meeting to approve an annual tax abatement for residents with grinder pumps, having the town pick up costs for pump maintenance and repair, or creating a maintenance fund with an amount set aside each year to cover those costs.

"There's a lot of things these folks are facing," said Patrick Maloney, who said he recently attended a meeting of the group to better understand the issue.

"It is something the town should look at ... to see if there could be some kind of equitable solution for all residents of the town, not just those residents with grinder pumps.

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Matt Hanson, who is running for his second term, didn't offer a specific proposal but said he didn't see why "the town couldn't take on some of the responsibility for maintaining" the pumps.

"These residents have this great burden that's been placed on them," Hanson said.

Bob Joyce, a former sewer commissioner, said residents knew during the planning phases that not all homes would be tied into the system. He would consider alternatives if elected, he said.

"The truth of the matter is these people were never planned on being sewered," he said. "So the fact that they got sewered and they had to have private pumps was well explained to them, and they did receive some compensation for it."

Janet Askenburg said any group of residents who feel they're not being treated fairly should have their concerns heard.

"As a community, we definitely need to hear their concerns and find an opportunity to find a solution," she said.

Candidates also debated what's commonly called other post-employment benefits, for which the town's liability was last estimated at $169 million. Town Meeting last fall approved putting $1 million into a fund that had only $280,000 at that point. To fully fund those costs for last fiscal year, Chelmsford would need to pay $12.2 million, according to town estimates.

"It's one of those things that almost keeps me up at night," Askenburg said. "It's a scary thought that such a large number is looming out there."

She called it disappointing that the state hasn't provided more help or offered solutions, and said the town should lobby the state for aid.

"It's a heavy weight on our shoulders," she said.

Joyce called for the town to put aside a set amount of money each year to cover the liabilities, as it does for things like capital expenses. Next year's capital budget is proposed to rise by more than $427,000, but Joyce said that difference should instead be put toward paying off employee benefits.

"Quite honestly, some of those projects getting done could wait," he said. The town could also reduce its debt load and use that money instead to pay off the benefits, he added.

Hanson cited the $1 million that was devoted last year and said selectmen have a goal to set aside at least the same amount each year in the future.

"At least the town of Chelmsford is being responsible for starting to pay off this great debt," he said.

Maloney said he's not in favor of adding a budget line item each year or taking from capital projects, many of which he said have been on hold for years. In the coming years, as funding for major capital projects lessens, the town should begin addressing the liabilities, he said, also urging seeking relief from the state.

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